Dan Forrest: Requiem for the Living: Movement IV: Sanctus

Описание: This is the fourth movement of my orchestration of Dan Forrest's 'Requiem for the Living'.

In this Requiem, the Sanctus and Agnus Dei are swapped from their traditional order, as Dan Forrest felt it was not appropriate to proclaim 'Holy is the Lord' prior to a plea to Christ for deliverance.

The Sanctus became a central feature of Eucharistic Prayer of both Eastern and Western churches pre-400AD. The thrice shouts of 'Holy, Holy, Holy' depicts the splendorous scenes of Isaiah 6:1-5. In the case of this Requiem, Dan's harmonic provision is largely inspired by images of the Hubble Telescope and International Space Station.

An important addition to Dan's original writing, is my inclusion of bell chimes layered with bowed crotales. Traditionally, Sanctus bells were rung at the singing of the Sanctus, hence their name. Often also called altar bells, they would be rung before the consecration of bread and wine into the Body and Blood of Christ, and again when the consecrated elements are displayed to the people. Church bells, large and small in general, can be rung for a myriad of purposes. They are a call to prayer, a call to worship, a driving out of demons. They may be rung at weddings, funerals, solemn memorial services to remember loved ones, and also in victory celebration. The Sanctus bells in this work, although subtle, encompass all these elements. Ultimately, however, they denote an official 'sanctification' of a work as being worthy of sacredness and made holy.

The contrastingly bustling final ending reflects a city full of Image Bearers chanting 'Hosanna In The Highest' with great rejoice. That is, the previous Agnus Dei stood as a defeated cry to Christ amidst tragedy, pain, and sorrow. The Sanctus follows as an awe-inspiring, majestic and upbeat response to sorrowful prayer.

Text:

Latin [sung]:

Sanctus, Sanctus, Sanctus,
Dominus Deus Sabaoth.
Pleni sunt caeli et terra gloria tua.
Hosanna in excelsis!

English [translation]:

Holy, Holy, Holy,
Lord God of Hosts.
Heaven and Earth are full of thy glory.
Hosanna in the highest!

Piece: Requiem for the Living
Movement IV: Sanctus
Composer: Dan Forrest
Publisher: Hinshaw Music
Arrangement, Performance & Production: Jôvan Howell